1.
Having laid aside the rod against all beings, and not hurting any
of them, let no one wish for a son, much less for a companion, let him
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
2.
In him who has intercourse (with others) affections arise, (and
then) the pain which follows affection; considering the misery that
originates in affection let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
3.
He who has compassion on his friends and confidential (companions)
loses (his own) advantage, having a fettered mind; seeing this danger in
friendship let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
4.
Just as a large bamboo tree (with its branches) entangled (in each
other, such is) the care one has with children and wife; (but) like the
shoot of a bamboo not clinging (to anything) let one wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
5.
As a beast unbound in the forest goes feeding at pleasure, so let
the wise man, considering (only his) own will, wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
6.
There is (a constant) calling in the midst of company, both when
sitting, standing, walking, and going away; (but) let one, looking
(only) for freedom from desire and for following his own will, wander
alone like a rhinoceros.
7.
There is sport and amusement in the midst of company, and for children
there is great affection; (although) disliking
separation from his dear friends, let one wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
8.
He who is at home in (all) the four regions and is not hostile (to
any one), being content with this or that, overcoming (all) dangers
fearlessly, let him wander alone like a rhinoceros.
9.
Discontented are some pabba/g/itas (ascetics), also some
gaha/tth/as (householders) dwelling in houses; let one, caring little
about other people's children, wander alone like a rhinoceros.
10.
Removing the marks of a gihin (a householder) like a Kovilâra
tree whose leaves are fallen, let one, after cutting off heroically the
ties of a gihin, wander alone like a rhinoceros.
11.
If one acquires a clever companion, an associate righteous and
wise, let him, overcoming all dangers, wander about with him glad and,
thoughtful.
12.
If one does not acquire a clever companion, an associate
righteous and wise, then as a king abandoning (his) conquered kingdom,
let him wander alone like a rhinoceros.
13.
Surely we ought to praise the good luck of having companions, the
best (and such as are our) equals ought to be sought for; not having
acquired such friends let one, enjoying (only) allowable things, wander
alone like a rhinoceros.
14.
Seeing bright golden (bracelets), well-wrought by the goldsmith,
striking (against each other when there are) two on one arm, let one
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
15.
Thus (if I join myself) with another I shall swear or scold;
considering this danger in future, let one wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
16.
The sensual pleasures indeed, which are various, sweet, and
charming, under their different shapes agitate the mind; seeing the
misery (originating) in sensual pleasures, let one wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
17.
These (pleasures are) to me calamities, boils, misfortunes,
diseases, sharp pains, and dangers; seeing this danger (originating) in
sensual pleasures, let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
18.
Both cold and heat, hunger and thirst, wind and a burning sun,
and gad-flies and snakes--having overcome all these things, let one
wander alone like a rhinoceros.
19.
As the elephant, the strong, the spotted, the large, after
leaving the herd walks at pleasure in the forest, even so let one wander
alone like a rhinoceros.
20.
For him who delights in intercourse (with others, even) that is
inconvenient which tends to temporary deliverance; reflecting on the
words of (Buddha) the kinsman of the Âdi/kk/a family, let one wander
alone like a rhinoceros.
21.
The harshness of the (philosophical) views I have overcome, I
have acquired self-command, I have attained to the way (leading to
perfection), I am in possession of knowledge, and not to be led by
others; so speaking, let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
22.
Without covetousness, without deceit, without craving, without
detraction, having got rid of passions and folly, being
free from desire in all the world, let one wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
23.
Let one avoid a wicked companion who teaches what is useless and
has gone into what is wrong, let him not cultivate (the society of) one
who is devoted (to and) lost in sensual pleasures, let one wander alone
like a rhinoceros.
24.
Let one cultivate (the society of) a friend who is learned and
keeps the Dhamma, who is magnanimous and wise; knowing the meaning (of
things and) subduing his doubts, let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
25.
Not adorning himself, not looking out for sport, amusement, and
the delight of pleasure in the world, (on the contrary) being loath of a
life of dressing, speaking the truth, let one wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
26.
Having left son and wife, father and mother, wealth, and corn,
and relatives, the different objects of desire, let one wander alone
like a rhinoceros.
27.
'This is a tie, in this there is little happiness, little
enjoyment, but more of pain, this is a fish-hook,' so having understood,
let a thoughtful man wander alone like a rhinoceros.
29.
With downcast eyes, and not prying, with his senses guarded,
with his mind protected free from passion, not burning (with lust),
let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
30.
Removing the characteristics of a gihin (householder), like a
Pâri/kh/atta tree whose leaves are cut off, clothed in a yellow robe
after wandering away (from his house), let one wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
31.
Not being greedy of sweet things, not being unsteady, not
supporting others, going begging from house to house, having a mind
which is not fettered to any household, let one wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
32.
Having left the five obstacles of the mind, having dispelled all
sin, being independent, having cut off the sin of desire, let one wander
alone like a rhinoceros.
33.
Having thrown behind (himself bodily) pleasure and pain, and
previously (mental) joy and distress, having acquired equanimity,
tranquillity, purity, let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
34.
Strenuous for obtaining the supreme good (i.e. Nibbâna), with a
mind free from attachment, not living in idleness, being firm, endowed
with bodily and mental strength, let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
35.
Not abandoning seclusion and meditation, always wandering in
(accordance with) the Dhammas, seeing misery in the existences, let
one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
36.
Wishing for the destruction of desire (i.e. Nibbâna), being
careful, no fool, learned, strenuous, considerate, restrained,
energetic, let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
37.
Like a lion not trembling at noises, like the wind not caught in
a net, like a lotus not stained by water, let one wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
38.
As a lion strong by his teeth, after overcoming (all animals),
wanders victorious as the king of the animals, and haunts distant
dwelling-places, (even so) let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
39.
Cultivating in (due) time kindness, equanimity, compassion,
deliverance, and rejoicing (with others), unobstructed by the whole
world, let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
40.
Having abandoned both passion and hatred and folly, having rent
the ties, not trembling in the loss of life, let one wander alone like a
rhinoceros.
41.
They cultivate (the society of others) and serve them for the
sake of advantage; friends without a motive are now difficult to get,
men know their own profit and are impure; (therefore) let one wander
alone like a rhinoceros.